Co-Music Directing

I have come to realize how much I love the teaching and guiding aspects of co-music directing. 

I have always loved teaching the very basics of singing, theory, and piano. The opportunities I have had to teach beginners have brought such joy! 

Stepping into a co-music directing role has been eye opening in the very best ways. Collaborating with a team and with performers, teaching some technique and guiding seasoned voices has all contributed to an incredibly rewarding experience. 

I knew I would likely love it - I had no idea how MUCH I would love this kind of musical role. I want to do this over and over again! 

I want to learn from all the mistakes I've made and collaborate even more with performers. I want to improve my own vocals & technique and help the next generations of musicians find the very best versions of their voices for the roles they are wanting to play. 

One main theme that I've discovered during this process is that the goal I work towards is making sure each performer is confident when they get on that stage. Sometimes that means going over a tricky entrance a dozen times. Sometimes it means finding different options to sing a particular phrase depending on the level of vocal fatigue a singer may experience throughout the run of a show. Other times it's just helping someone shed the self-consciousness and help to unlock parts of their voice they didn't believe they could access. 

This entire experience has, of course, illuminated my own shortcomings as well as strengths. It has taught me what kind of methods I enjoy using to help teach or guide a group of singers and what kind of tips and tricks work for different individual vocalists. 

This role has also taught me about what my teaching style is and how it may come across. I can be tough and direct, I will also celebrate every moment of triumph. It can be said that I have high standards and I will help you every step of the way. I will be the first one to jump up and down in celebration when you nail it! 

I am feeling so enthusiastic about the next adventure. 

To see Grease, click here for tickets. I am so immensely proud of the group of humans that are putting on this show and can't wait to attend the performances as a guest. 

If you're wanting to get involved with Untold Stories Theatre, check out their website here. 

The next musical they will be putting on is The Little Mermaid, with auditions coming early in the new year. 

The next performance is the annual Untitled Concert Series and those auditions will be this month! With that comes exciting news: I am the Music Director for the concert, with a lovely Assistant Music Director that I am thrilled to collaborate with!  

I love My Musical Life! 

Tickets to Grease!

Get your tickets to Grease! 

We're only two rehearsals in and I don't think I can clearly express my joy and excitement in the anticipation of this show! 

Loving every minute of My Musical Life! 

Grease!

Another adventure is starting! 

Untold Stories Theatre is putting on Grease this fall, and I get to be Co-Music Director with the lovely & talented Charmaine Evans. 

Really looking forward to everything! 

Come see Grease mid-November! 

I love My Musical Life! 

Forever a Student

One thing that I especially love about being a musician is that it is a lifelong learning curve. There are steps and ladders and platforms to rest or stay at, but one could just as easily continue to climb, with the goal never being absolute perfection, because it doesn't exist. 

The goal might be to improve. The goal might be to reach a specific point of comfort and ability. The goal might be specific or it might be vague. 

For instance: for a long time, I could not accompany myself when I was hired as a soloist. I worked with incredible accompanists for specific events. There were also times where being able to accompany myself would have been useful. So that was the goal I set out for myself, years ago. I wanted to learn how to play chords well enough, and comfortably, so that I could sing and play piano simultaneously and with confidence. I can now do that. I can comfortably look at a page with lyrics and chords, in any key, and know that I can accompany myself and perform that song. I can also transpose any song in that format to fit my vocal range. This is a goal that I worked hard to reach and is a source of pride. 

I will never be perfect at it. I wouldn't consider myself an expert at this skill, because I have stuck to one or two essential styles of piano playing, but for what I have learned to do, I do well. 

I can always hop back on that ladder and branch out to multiple different styles and improve my range of skills, maybe even focus back onto classical piano pieces, or I could simply relish in the level of skill I have reached. The options are endless. 

With voice, if I had the time and the money, I would continue to have a singing coach in perpetuity. 

This is also something I love about music (and art). You are forever a student, regardless of whether or not you also become a teacher/coach yourself. 

This idea; this constant improvement that isn't linear and is based solely on the individual's motivation and personal goals isn't exclusive to music either. 

You do not have to obsess over perfection in order to be considered successful, ambitious, or even an expert. It's more a matter of having the dedication and the open-mindedness to continue learning. 

That and possessing the self-awareness to know when you are satisfied with the level you have reached, knowing that you do not need to go any further if you are perfectly content with where you are at. 

I love My Musical Life

Santa Doesn't Eat My Cookies

I was able to work on one of my own songs today - Santa Doesn't Eat My Cookies! 

This is fun!

I love my musical life!